Thursday, April 21, 2011

Fish Baby's Sweet Dreams

As I mentioned on Monday my Fish Baby Log Cabin quilt is featured today at Sew, Mama, Sew and along with a free PDF of the pattern the folks at Sew, Mama, Sew are offering 20% off my other downloadable patterns. Interested? Check it out here.

As to why I called the pattern the Fish Baby Log Cabin, I made the quilt as a gift for my swim coach Andrea Fischer, aka Fish. She and her husband are expecting a baby and I love to make and give handmade gifts. Perfect combination.
I also mentioned on Monday that I had a new Saral Paper project to show off as well as a giveaway of some Saral Paper sample packs.

I really debated about what I wanted to make this time with my roll of Saral transfer paper. I knew I still wanted to work with text but I also wanted to be able to stitch that text without the stopping and starting that the previous project called for. In addition I wanted the finished item to be useable in my home or on my body.
To that end I came up with this:

Like the potholder project I began by writing my text on the wrong side of the transfer paper as it was positioned on top of my fabric. Because the right side is coated with a transfer powder, my handwritten text was easily readable on the fabric. I then machine stitched the words using the transferred letters as my guide. This time however I didn't break off thread in between words but stitched ellipse-like shapes to move from word to word.

I'm calling this project the Sweet Dreams pillow sham because, with a nod to the Eurythmics, I repeated the phrase, "Sweet dreams are made of these."

I sewed my embroidered panel to a wonderfully soft cotton stripe, backed the pillow with another cotton print, and lined the stitched sections with a cotton muslin. Top that off with a bit of Kona cotton in turquoise as a binding along the pillow opening and there you have it.
So, what say you? Are you ready to try some transfer paper? Because if you are, I've got 5(yes 5) sample packs to giveaway. These sample packs have an assortment of transfer papers that will allow you to experiment on all color of fabrics. This stuff works with both machine and hand embroidery and when you're done stitching, it washes out, so nobody knows it was even ever there.
Here's a thought: download the free quilt PDF and then when you're done, use the transfer paper to make a beautifully "handwritten" label. Or download the free quilt PDF and decorate some of the strips with stitched poetry or silly sentiments. The sky's the limit. So leave a comment and I'll announce the winners on Sunday.

What a great use for the saral paper...and I love that beautiful little quilt for your friends baby. Nothing like a handmade gift!Please put me down in your draw, I'd love to have a play around with this.

Hi Malka, First of all I LOVE your Fish Baby log cabin quilt. The colors are so fresh! The transfer paper looks pretty cool too. I think there are lots of ways to have fun with this. Thanks for the opportunity.

I'm excited to go check out your pattern! I love your quilt. :) I am also so excited to try the transfer sheets! I am just starting out with free motion quilting, and it would be great to practice words! (Especially because then I can put my baby's name in her quilt when I finish it up!) Thanks for the chance to win some!

Thanks for the giveaway, Malka! I've been yearning to transfer some of my "Big Kids" (preschoolers) artwork onto fabric for display in our classroom. My latest favorite is an awesome T-Rex with a wide smiling mouthful of jagged teeth saying "R-O-R" ("roar", get it?! I love 4 year old spelling!) Thanks for the inspiration you provide.

this sounds like a really kool project! i have seen this stuff in quilt shops but didnt quite know what to do with it...heres hoping...i love your books by the way, have both. finally got a perfect pot to melt my soy way flaskes, now i just have to go for it, probably when i get back from my six week visit to kauai...yipee...

What a gorgeous quilt and pillowcase, I've got a rainbow quilt in my to-do list that os a similar pattern, maybe I will stitch "somewhere over the rainbow" randomly onto sections. Thanks for the inspiration

~ Malka, I've only just 'found' you via one of your books. Realize it's somewhat late for this request..but, I would love to try that new transfer paper. Thank you for offering..even if 'all out'. Caroline

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About Me

Hi and welcome!
I'm an artist living in the best city in Texas. I love all things fiber and taking pictures of those things and maybe a few more.
I get a huge kick out of your comments, so keep them coming. If you have a question, please leave it in the comments section and I'll reply there as well. If you'd like to email me, my address is malka@stitchindye.com.